KO Gadget, maker of the popular glowing Apple logo mod for the iPhone, have received a cease and desist from Apple for illegal use of Apple's trademarks.
According to their Facbook Fan page, they've a received the following cease and desist order from Apple:
The website, http://store.kogadget.com/, is offering for sale and selling merchandise bearing counterfeit Apple trademark(s). Such illegal use of Apple Trademark(s) is a violation of federal and State trademark laws.
iMore speculates that since there are numerous other modifications for sale elsewhere, Apple's issue most likely comes down to safety. Even setting aside problems such as voiding your warranty and battery drain, there are other issues to consider.
They use the existing circuitry in your iPhone to draw power, specifically the LCD cable. This is where the glowing panel pulls power from. Not through the battery but by pulling power through a connector that is already being utilized for something else. In this case, your screen. There have already been reports of washed out LCDs due to glowing mods.
I also don’t recommend putting stray components in your device that aren’t held down in an appropriate fashion. Your device is designed to pull the correct amount of power from the battery. Your logic board is also designed to handle hardware a specific way. In a worst case scenario, you could potentially short out your logic board.
Did you place an order for the glowing Apple logo mod for your iPhone? Have you received it? Let us know in the comments.
Update:
Their latest posts on their Fanbook page seems to suggest that they've started selling the mods again. We're not sure if they've figured out a way around the trademark infringement or it was a publicity stunt to get some media coverage.
I’m still waiting to receive my mod that was mailed out last week. Can anyone who has the mod installed comment on how it effects battery performance or your lcd screen?
I haven’t noticed any battery life performance issues. The mod only uses one LED light to illuminate the apple logo. Installation is kinda scary though. There’s a LOT of small pieces that you feel like you’re going to break when disconnecting. Mine has a small gap at the top of the phone that you can see the light glowing through. I might take it apart again and put something on the top to block the light leaking out.
I received my kit. Came with everything needed. The online details are a little sketchy for the install for the IPhone 4 gsm. I soldered my red wire in place, instead of the bs method described by ko gadget. Mod works great, even though the light comes on when switching cell towers and continuously on during charge. Looks awesome!
@Sean
U said u have soldered it to connecting point but where exactly have u soldered it coz the connecting point has two part left(camera side) right(volume button).my friend connected it on the left(camre side) n the light stayed on like forever did not went off even after 15min!!!help plz
thankx in advance
I got a cease and desist letter today for eating an apple. This crap is going just a little too far.
and you are a doctor, how can you eat an apple and keep yourself away?
That was kinda stale if it was a joke fas.
Just make it a glowing pineapple or Steve Jobs face and be done with it.
or a pear like disney channel
That is why I love my droid…apple is just big fat pain in the ass….
lol you love yours droid because of a reason like this….uggh you deserve a droid
Fanboys Sucks….
You love your droid that much you choose to come read an iphone hacks website, CLUE is in the title you droid.!
Is it just me, or is there always a Droid fanboy spewing his/her two cents on stories about apple products. Why do they even care?
Droid is not a company that makes products with their own OS. They are just a OS thats installed on multiple brand phones. Why do droid users constantly input on iphone specific sites? I’ll tell you why…because like it or hate it iPhone is king. Its all everyone talks about whether they have one or not. They compare their device with it. Not with the other phone models. Just the iphone. WINNING!
Where’s the ‘LIKE’ button when you need one? lol
I got mine last thursday the install was easy when following the picture instructions, but when i went to put the new cover on it. It did not slide all the way on so i put a little pressure on it and it broke into three peices. Biggest waste of money i ever spent except for the playstation move.
Mine has been installed for a while now. I have seen no battery drop. Or degradation of the screen. It looks cool. And a lot of people want them. If it is truly a danger, let Apple prove it either by technical discussion or demonstration and if they can’t then shut the hell up and let people do what they want. Money grubbing SOB’s your God is gone. Don’t be afraid of the people anymore.
What about the numerous cases that have a replica apple logo?
Yeah, sorry. Installation seemed a little tricky. Watch the video. It is pretty cool though. I have been offered a grand for my phone.
Let me get this straight.
You have been offered $1,000 for your cellphone? Someone said, “Yo bud, I will pay you $1,000 cash for your cellphone because the apple logo glows” ? Were they 13? Jesus Christ, if someone said they’d pay me $1,000 for my iphone I’d kiss em on the lips and hand that thing right over.
I hope that you took it, because if not, …well… you’d be dumber than a rock.
Have had mine installed for a few days now and have not seen any drop in batt. Only issue I had was the pentalobe driver in the kit was damaged an useless. Had to use a sharp flat tip screwdriver to remove back cover screws. Ordered replacement Phillips screw kit from ifixit.com that comes with pentalobe driver/screws. The light does come in randomly sometimes but it’s reported that this is sign of data xfer. The install video link included in box also didn’t work. Found vid on YouTube by another user.